Difficult Love

I know a girl that when she smiles, the world smiles,

Cause she's got a smile so big

People’s eyes can’t contain it

And it spreads to their lips.

This poem is hers.

Difficult Love

It's difficult not to fall in love with you every time you smile.

It would help if you weren't so happy;

            So full of life and love

                        Your lips are always open.

Maybe then I wouldn't spend every minute

            Thinking of you,

                        Imagining you in my arms when I sleep.

But you can’t help it;

            You are you.

And I can’t help it;

            It’s too difficult not to love you.

                               Jack Shirley

Voices

For a friend I've never met.

Voices

I've never heard your voice,

But I know your sound.

It resonates from your smile;

Reverberates in the cavity of my chest

Like the beating of a heart,

So pure and clear,

My heart can’t help but beat with it,

In harmony;

But that’s how hearts are supposed to beat:        

Pure and proud,

Like a baby’s pulse

In the cavity of his mother’s womb

That widens her smile

As she hears his first sound,

And he recognizes her voice.

Jack Shirley

The Thought of You

A little thought on my mind when I woke up this morning. I don't know how long it will take, but it will be well worth the wait when I meet someone that makes me feel this way again.

The Thought of You

Tender lips.

A hug smile.

Laughter.

Impassioned embrace.

It all seems fresh and lively!

The sweet anticipation!

The momentary escape from monotony.

The thought of you invigorates!

Like the morning sun grows to fill the room,

The thought fills me with life desire,

Lightens my cares,

Brightens my smile.

My mind delights and beckons you

To come and play,

And stay a while.

                      Jack Shirley

Truth

"Truth is true even if nobody believes it." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Truth

What is truth?

     But sun setting fire to a mountain ridge,

     Dust kicked up on a gravel road,

     A leaf of grass in a child’s hand,

     Cool sweat on a lover’s lips,

     A stranger’s smile,

       Or a snowflake on bare skin?

Is it more than a simple dance,

     A child’s game of tag,

     A front porch melody?

Deeper than a person’s eyes,

     A family’s prayer,

     Or a last goodbye?

Can you put in words?

     String it out in syllables on a kitchen wall.

     Tape it by the bathroom sink.

Does it change?

     Bend to the president’s will.

     Twist on dark nights in dark places.

Can I speak it?

Can it leave my lips like honey and fire,

     Touching your very soul?

If I can’t speak it, then I’ll write it,

And truth will set that ridge ablaze,

     Kick up that dust,

     Comfort that hand,

     Raise sweat on those lips,

     Bring out that smile,

     And chill your skin.

It will form your dance.

You’ll chase it like a child,

     And sing it on your porch.

And when you look deep in the mirror by your bathroom sink,

     You’ll see it in your eyes.

It’ll cry out in your prayers,

     And make every goodbye sweet like honey.

What I write

     Won’t bend

     Or twist

     Or change

     As it sets you free.

                       Jack Shirley

Romance

I wrote this after a devotional by Kevin Miyasaki in 2010. He told the story of his last night with his wife by her bedside in the hospital. As he held her hand, he was filled with pure love. He said, "That night I discovered what true romance really is." Having seen what happens when a loved one dies, I can think of no better description of true romance. Maybe you feel the same.

A Night of Romance

“Love is watching someone die.” –Ben Gibbard

Knowing doesn't ease the pain,

As we sit alone.

You’re beautiful still the same:

A gurney for a throne.

Deep inside I hold a prayer

That your soul can hear.

I look upon your skin so fair

And see parting near.

I have learned from your eyes;

Now the story rests untold.

As others pass and sympathize.

Your hands grow cold.

Yet your soul cries out to me,

A blink of an eye,

And in that moment I can see

Our love will never die.

I hold your hand for one more night:

A love knit embrace.

You’ll rise with the morning’s light

To see our Savior’s face.

                       Jack Shirley

You can find Kevin's devotional message here: http://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/2010_03_23_Miyasaki.htm

Also, here is a Death Cab for Cutie song on a similar note: http://youtu.be/I483tB12SyE

Joseph's Prayer

I know it's a little late, but this was my Christmas Eve poem this year. 

Joseph's Prayer

Father, are you there?

Please answer my simple prayer.

I’m thy servant and will always be,

But I need to know

Is it of thee,

This child in Mary’s womb?

Her words are marvelous,

Incredible,

But for the burning in my heart,

I would put her away;

I would not believe,

Or ask thee now my Lord.

Yet, my heart yearns to know.

I want so badly to believe

That this is real,

That this burning I feel

Is of thee,

That the Messiah will come

To my house

As my son.

Yet it is too great

For me, a simple man,

To think on such things;

It is too noble

For my humble house.

I have nothing to offer,

No status to give,

Nothing save my heart

And my life

That is thine

And will ever be thine.

I cannot do such great a thing,

Save thou art in it,

And it be thy will.

So I ask thee,

Not in disbelief,

But in my need for strength,

Art thou in this?

For if thou art,

Then I will take Mary to wife,

And I will raise thy son,

For I will ever be

Thy humble servant,

Joseph.

Amen.

                   Jack Shirley